I love the decoy ship HMS Anson (which IRL was HMS Centurion, a WWI era battleship with good engines converted to look like Anson). She is a bomb magnet, and a well protected one. Reported taking vast numbers of hits, and on fire, at the end of the day she had 4 system damage, 4 floatation damage and 1 engine damage - and zero fires not already put out! It was an experiment and it works superbly well - at least vs 50 kg bombs (the JAAF standard).

The Allies got lucky - heavy rains prevented many air strikes and made many of the rest ineffective - in the critical battle for Malaya. Even so, Kuala Lumpur fell on first assault. But almost every enemy bomb that hit on ships fell on warships - and 90% of those on armored "Anson" - so the transports, with a single exception, didn't get hurt. A pretty good day all things considered. The flip side of bad weather over the target area is that Allied bomber missions didn't fly either.

KB turned left and is headed directly toward Fiji - but still fired off an air strike on poor Noumea, which has almost no facilities left to damage! Filipino resistance was surprisingly tough at Batangas - which held - although only one regiment of Philippine Constabulary and one division of Filipino reserves were close to reasonable strength (the regiment as strong as the division). So IJA is still no closer to Manila after today's attack - and will need at least two days to invest the city.

Up in China IJA did generally better, its offensive rolling on and on. The East West RR line was cleared for the first time - so the Japanese position South of the Yangtze is now properly logistically supported and able to shift troops using the railroad. Up in the open area of North China exploitation is fully underway - and the North South RR line is likely to connect to Wuhan in a few days - probably decisively affecting the logistical situation in that key central triple city.

For the first time, we have Ju-88 art - once I learned that IRL Japan used Ju-88s - and we have the art - in the form of Q1W1 Lorna (albiet in the wrong colors - in due course we will get JAAF colors on the art). I only just learned this reading about the Ju-88 in German materials!

In Scenario 105 ONLY - the only Japan enhanced RHS scenario yet fully developed - we have a number of Ju-88s under licenced production. At first is this one - Ju-88A5, a bomber. Next comes along an early night fighter - Ju-88C6 - regretfully NOT including radar - so like the early Ki-45 night fighters - it goes up without radar. Also in late 1942 a recon variant, Ju-88D2 -. Finally late in 1942 there is the Ju-88A17 torpedo armed variant.

Later a more advanced night fighter - fitted with Japanese AI radar - Ju-88G7, an advanced recon type - Ju-88H1, and a later torpedo armed version Ju-188A2.

Except for the early bomber, which is in limited production and in trials service in a single unit, ALL the rest are production options that may only be implemented if some factory is converted from some other type. They are not additions. As well, Japan starts with the Me-109E in limited service - there were 3 pattern aircraft tested in Japan (which is why it got a code name, being spotted by diplomats). In 105, the type, fully licenced - its engine was used for the Ki-61 and other types - is used as an interim interceptor pending the development of the Ki-44. A Navy version is also a production option, literally the variant of the E called T (for Trager = carrier in German) for the German Graf Zeppelin. They are short legged but rather good interceptors. For resaons unclear - I don't understand why or how - in the test these planes are credited with recon as a mission - even if they have no camera! Not search - just recon. At the present time, the only unit of these is operating out of Hainan Island and is grossly understrength - waiting for production to come on stream - which it has not done.

In China, for the first time, the main East West RR between Nanchang and Shanghai finall became Japanese controlled. The line continues Westward to Changsha - where art shows a fork. To see the current state of RR in RHS, one needs to press the Y key. It changes with every season of every year.

This is also the very first time these two reinforced IJA regiments failed to capture a position. One entire division surrendered to them rather than retreat. But this hex has more support than usual - the Subic Base force was being evacuated out of this area - and the South Luzon Force is not in bad shape. PA 51st Reserve Division is worthless - disorganized. PA 1st Regular Division (stripped of all its officers and NCOs to form the Reserve divisions and just being rebuilt with green troops) is almost worthless. The troops that mattered in this fight were the Philippine Constabulary - just arrived from Manila to stabolize the defense and buy time for a retreat into Manila by the rest.

Scenario 105 ONLY features what might have been if the proposal of Gen Yamashita to form existing tank and other units into a "tank corps" in 1941. [This happened slowly over time, mostly in 1942, and in Manchuria, after the fall of Malaya, where Yamashita was sent after Malaya] These units are present as separate componants but the player has the option of combining them into one whole. Here we see the action at Kuala Lumpur, which fell on the first assault to the unreinforced unit. There is another in China - operating in three teams A, B and C. Another is in Manchukuo - and tied there by the Russian threat. [In 105 Russians are active - strip Manchukuo and you tempt invasion] More appear during the war.

These units - we only met one in combat in 1944 on Luzon - were not impressive vs US armor at that time. But in 1941 they are kings - nothing in Asia compares outside the Soviet Red Army - whose armor is much better. They have four tank "regiments"( battalions ) and as many infantry - a full regiment (motorized) plus a battalion (mechanized) - a single regiment of motorized artillery - an engineer unit - an AAA unit and logistical trail. They are not like a Western Armored Division - but are vastly more than any brigade, tank or otherwise, in the world. With armor not too heavy for the (10 ton) bridges in the area, they are a quite useful concept at this time.

Two days ago recon reported no less than 14 Allied units at Kuala Lumpur. Now there are only 6. Seems they are trying to evacuate via Port Swettingham.

It is called, Guam Shipyard, go figure. There is also a US Naval Shipyard Guam today - controversial when it was proposed to be closed for buditary reasons. There are many small shipyards in RHS - and they can be captured.

Pretty exciting action all along the Malacca Strait and the approaches to Palembang as the Allied evacuation of Malaya gets underway in strength. Allied bombers and fighters are contesting the skies, sometimes with extraordinary success: a single Dutch fighter pilot covered himself in glory, and, operating a variant of the same plane, for the second day in a row the RAF Buffalos operating in Malay show they outclass the Nate, even when outnumbered. Nevertheless, Japanese planes have advantages in numbers, range and armament - and these showed their worth today. The Ki-45 KAIa - technically not even operational yet - showed what a 250 kg bomb can do to a ship. And Nells and Betty's continue to be able to sink ships with torpedoes. An ABDA plot to intercept an enemy landing force in the Sulu Sea came to naught - although the force was indeed sighted several times. But the Japanese battle force in the Visaya's had more success bombarding Cebu - all the Allied plans to thwart them with mines, torpedo boats and submarines being of little avail. For the first time in about a week, KB didn't strike something! But it may still be a threat in the South Pacific. The two reinforced regiments driving on Manila from the South got the approaches to the city today.

CAP engaged: Yamada S2 Det Chu with A5M4 Claude (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 9000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes

She also has radar (Seetakt) - surface search - and a concentration of guns aft - although some are damaged at the moment. This configuration turned out to matter. And it has torpedoes - useful if a ship won't sink.

Nor for torpedo armed Nells to attack PT boats - but it happens - our code isn't too bright. The subs also attack many patrol craft they should not with torpedoes. They are likely to miss in fact IRL to go right under even if they were on the right bearing!

But some Allied barges get very big - thousands of tons - and in a "combination" they are not maneuverable - easy to hit.

This turn continues the protracted evacuation from Malaya, stage I, by the Allies. Stage I because even more troops are at Singapore and presumably are to follow. There is lots of night and day surface action, as well as air strikes and sub attack. A tiny force of Blenheim night fighters aquits itself well - yet again - over Kota Bahru. In spite of the slaughter at sea, the Allies managed to get all but about 804 men out of Port Swettenham - these didn't fare so well when attacked by Japanese armor! Many were lost at sea, but many more got away. Allied ships, badly outgunned and outnumbered, acquitted themselves very well, and some even lived to fight another day.

Never mind all this intensive fighting over Malaya, NW Borneo heated up again with yet another invasion at Kuching. And we also see the combat debut of the Ki-44 - not yet operational - in a trials squadron. Brought in from Manchukuo to China to gain experience, it engaged obsolete Russian Ki-153s and Ki-16s - and while holding their own for some time - they ended up losing the match decisively. A Ki-44 is apparently a fine fighter plane in 1941! [Go figure - since it isn't even operational in 1941] In other excitement, the raider Thor was spotted - and spotted Allied ships in turn - at Pago Pago - but no fight (yet). Since KB is in the same area, the South Seas may yet again see another battle (so far every one on Japanese terms - with capital ships outweighing transports and auxiliary craft). But for the first time Allied warships are spotted - so it may be there is a more serious fight coming.

The slaughter continues in the Malacca Strait. The last hex of RR between Wuhan and North China falls to the Japanese. The KB is just hovering in the South Seas - intentions unclear. Fairly exciting turn.

CAP engaged: No.453 Sqn RAF with RAF Buffalo I (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 23000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 10 minutes

CAP engaged: 54th Ftr Sentai with Ki-27a/b Nate (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 3 plane(s) intercepting now. 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 10000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes 47th Ind Ftr Chutai with Ki-44 I Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Singkawang [Bor] at 56,88

CAP engaged: No.453 Sqn RAF with RAF Buffalo I (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 23000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on TF, near Singkep Island at 49,87

The Chinese get frisky - not always without success. The invasions of Palembang, Sumatra and Buna, New Guinea begin. Submarines continue to be a plague on both sides. The defenses of Clark hold decisively. The Great Raid continues not to find any targets. All in all, an interesting turn.

CAP engaged: No.453 Sqn RAF with RAF Buffalo I (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 23000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on TF, near Singkep Island at 49,87

As Mifune points out, the offensive continues on all fronts without pause. In China, the last important position on the Yellow River plain fell today - after a week of stout resistance. Its retreat path was opened only yesterday by a rare Chinese shock attack that actually worked. Buna fell - so New Guinea isn't being ignored. And KB launched strikes from multiple locations - seems it has split into fragments (why not? there is no enemy carrier force in thousands of miles). But the big news is not only that Palembang fell, it fell at remarkably low cost. Not one ship has been sunk yet - and only one was damaged so far. Not to be outdone, the Philippines saw the capture of Jolo, with its fine airfield, by airborne.

17 ships dispatched to raid Sinkawang, flagship Mauritius. Home port Singapore, retirement authorized. This is first of all a raid, with react = 1, to disrupt shipping in the waters between Sumatra and Borneo. Its secondary mission is to insure the operational security of the evacuation convoy, and to carry additional troops if needed.

3 ships, departing late (150 ops points expended refueling), flagship Marblehead, will sail for Singapore directly. A similar hunting expedition, hoping to catch stragglers from surface actions of the main force.

This operation was approved by the Dutch in part because it does not involve any Dutch ships. These remain in the Eastern NEI or elsewhere on Java - to form a new Central Force.

An astonishing turn in some ways, 20 Allied warships passed right through Japanese formations without contact! Submarines - after not be effective in the defense of Palembang - became a plague once again. Philippine partisans make their first attack of the war. Another force of Japanese battleships turns up.

The Allied concept of giving enemy bombers warships to shoot at - and make these small and at full speed so hard to hit - worked brilliantly. Unfortunately, it didn't stop enemy subs in the narrow waterway from using their deadly Long Lance torpedoes!

CAP engaged: KNIL 3-Vl.G.IV with KNIL B-339D Buffalo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 10000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on TF, near Singapore at 50,84

CAP engaged: KNIL 3-Vl.G.IV with KNIL B-339D Buffalo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 10000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Singapore at 50,84